Publishing

2009 PLoS Genetics Maize Genome Collection PLoS Genetics is pleased to announce the launch of the 2009 Maize Genome Collection. Maize is an important crop in many countries of the world. It is used widely for human consumption, animal feed, and industrial materials. It is also considered an exemplar plant species for studying domestication, molecular evolution, and genome architecture. The authors of the research presented in this special collection used the first description of the B73 maize genome to probe some of the most intriguing questions in genetics and plant biology. The ten papers consider maize centromeres, new insights into transposon types and distribution, the abundance of very short FLcDNAs encoding predicted peptides, and many other “genetic jewels”.

Staff and editors of PLoS Pathogens and PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases are heading to the ASTMH meeting this week (Nov. 18-22). Please consider attending the following PLoS journal-related activities and be sure to visit us at Booth 501 to pick up giveaways and meet the team.

Today, we're delighted to announce that the official PLoS Store is open for business - in time for the holidays. With a wide range of t-shirts (including some designed specifically for the season of goodwill) and other merchandise, you can let us solve your shopping nightmares. We would encourage all of you to shop the store, spread the word and support our cause.

PLoS Pathogens is pleased to announce a new partnership with Dr. Vincent Racaniello, co-creator of the weekly podcast “This Week in Virology” (www.twiv.tv). Dr. Racaniello, a virologist and Professor in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology at Columbia University, is the newest member of the journal’s Community Editor Section.

PLoS is getting ready for this year's ASTMH meeting (Washington, D. C., November 18–22), where you’ll find us at Booth 501 in the exhibition hall.